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Patients "boarding" in the emergency department (ED), or placed in a holding pattern while waiting for care or transfer, are overwhelming emergency physicians, care teams and staff who do all they can to treat or stabilize every patient that needs care.
While the causes of boarding are multifaceted, staffing shortages and the resulting burnout only exacerbate the crisis and perpetuate a dangerous and sometimes deadly cycle. To help address this crisis, ACEP President Christopher S. Kang, MD, FACEP formed a task force to develop clinical recommendations as well.
ACEP has been leading national efforts to address ED crowding and boarding for several decades. Currently we are advocating directly with the White House, bipartisan members of Congress, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders involved in constructive approaches to alleviate the factors that lead to our nation’s boarding crisis.